The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed linebacker Dadi Nicolas back to practice from the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) List on Wednesday as he hit the field for the first time this season.

The second-year linebacker ruptured his patellar tendon in Kansas City's final regular season game of last year and has been rehabbing from the injury ever since, missing all of training camp and the Chiefs' first nine games.

Nicolas' return officially begins a three-week window in which he can practice before the Chiefs have to make a decision on whether to elevate him to the active roster or to place him on season-ending Injured Reserve.  

"He's on that return list where he can practice for 21 days and not count against you," Head Coach Andy Reid said. "He'll end up practicing as we go here."

Absent from practice on Tuesday were defensive tackle Allen Bailey (knee), wide receiver Albert Wilson (hamstring) and linebackers Dee Ford (back) and Tamba Hali (knee).

Ford and Wilson both missed Kansas City's Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with their injures, while Bailey sprained his knee in the game.

Hali played for the first time this season against Dallas, recording one tackle.

"His knee swelled up a little bit, but we kind of anticipated that because that's what it's done over the past few years," Reid said. "We're just backing off on it and letting it calm down and then we'll go from there."

The Chiefs return to the field this Sunday against the New York Giants.